Why do you follow beauty trends?

THE latest trends in beauty among African women are weaves, fake eyelashes and manicures.

Express asked women in Polokwane why they followed these trends, and asked the men whether they had a problem with them.

Sharon Nyamuda said she preferred hair extensions to any other hairstyle because they lasted longer. “I follow the trend because it suits me. I believe that most women want to look beautiful. I sometimes spend about R500 a month on hair alone. But doing my hair depends on whether I have money or not and whether I feel like it.”

Koketso Galane said women followed these trends because they wanted to look beautiful. “Every girl wants to look like a diva. Some women do it to grab attention and some women think people will respect them if they are wearing expensive hair pieces such as Brazilian or Malaysian.”

Boitshepo Metane said: “Women do things to please the next person. Wigs and hair extensions make me feel sexy and in control. Honestly, put a wig on a woman and you will see a different person”.

“Wearing fake eyelashes and weaves makes us feel good and look different. We want to look like celebrities. Even if my own hair is long, I will still have hair extensions because they make me feel like I am someone else. We do it because our partners sometimes encourage us to look beautiful and different,” said Rebinah Lesudi.

Unlike most women, Winnie Mashao said she didn’t follow the trend and said women should accept the way they are. “I don’t wear weaves because I want to look natural and because I can’t afford them. Most women spend a lot of money on trends.”

Dipuo Molefe said women needed to look and feel good.

“They shouldn’t do it to impress other people. I spend about R2 000 every month on hair and about R200 on nails. I am happy that my man sometimes gives me money to buy the hairpiece”.

Rihone Munyai said she followed the trend to grab people’s attention. “Women want to look beautiful and to impress guys. Some do it because they are competing with other women. We want to look like international stars like Beyonce and Rihanna.”

Tshegofatso Latakgomo said he blamed women following beauty trends on social media. “I think social networks are the major problem because women want to look beautiful on their profile pictures. In fact, they watch too many soapies and copy celebrities’ styles.”

Lethabo Phahlane said: “Women do all these things because they want to attract and get attention from men. I don’t have a girlfriend, but if I did, I would never give her money for hair extensions, eyelashes and manicures. I prefer my woman to be natural”.

Lehlogonolo Shai said he didn’t have a problem with it, in fact, it impressed him a lot. “I do give my girlfriend money to buy hairpieces and I sometimes go with her to the salon.”